"Among the crowd at the flag raising on Monday, executive director with Out Saskatoon (formerly the Avenue Community Centre), Rachel Loewen Walker stepped up to the podium and shared her story of having to move away from home to come out.

Loewen Walker plans on walking in the parade this weekend, remembering a time about 10 years ago when she was simply to shy."

"Some will say it's a bit overdue, but the Avenue Community Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity - newly christened as OUTSaskatoon - is finally having its own coming-out party.

Now in its 24th year of operation, OUTSaskatoon is dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community. The centre offers services such as counselling, educational seminars, social events and sexual health clinics in an effort to inform the public, help those who have experienced homophobia or transphobia firsthand, and create a better Saskatoon."